VRMark, the VR benchmark, now available on Android

June 14, 2018

We've released a new VRMark benchmark app for Android devices. VRMark works with or without a headset to help you test and compare the VR performance of the latest smartphones.

The VRMark Professional Edition app, designed for industry and press use, combines three new VR benchmark tests with three individual test modes to provide a comprehensive set of tools for testing the VR capabilities of the latest devices.

For VR enthusiasts, a free version of the app offers a smaller set of tests for testing VR performance at home.

Three levels of VR performance

VRMark is designed around performance levels, which we call Rooms. A Room is a piece of VR content carefully created to require a specific level of VR performance. The Android version of VRMark comes with three Rooms.

The Indigo Room represents the majority of mobile VR content available today. It is a lightweight test that is designed to run comfortably for long periods on first-generation Daydream devices.

The Purple Room is designed to run well for at least one loop on first-generation Daydream devices, but some phones will get hot when looping this test, and their performance may fall as the test runs.

The Amber Room is a forward-looking test that represents next-generation mobile VR content. It is very demanding making it an ideal benchmark for comparing devices that already perform well in the other Rooms.

Three ways to test VR performance

Peak Mode measures a device’s peak VR performance by running a single loop of the benchmark test. This mode tells you how well a device can handle VR content for a short period of time, which is the best-case scenario for any device. A VR headset is not required.

Use Sustained Mode to test VR performance over longer periods. You can run the test for ten loops, one hour, one day, or even longer. Sustained Mode helps you uncover thermal and stability issues that affect device performance. A VR headset is not required.

VR applications are demanding and can quickly drain a device’s battery. After running a sustained test, VRMark also estimates the device's battery life for VR.

Add a headset and use Experience Mode to judge the quality of the VR experience with your own eyes. See for yourself how well your device compensates for missed frames. Experience mode works with Daydream View and Google Cardboard compatible headsets.

For more details, please read our VRMark technical guide, which explains what each benchmark measures and how the scores for each test mode are calculated.

More than a score

With detailed performance monitoring charts and an in-app list for ranking and comparing the latest devices, VRMark gives you deep insights into the VR performance of your device.

System requirements

VRMark is compatible with ARM-based devices running Android 7.0 or later with at least 1 GB of RAM that support OpenGL ES 3.1 or OpenGL ES 3.0 with MSAA.